Japan to host G7 summit in Hiroshima due to concerns over nuclear weapons' use in Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was pushed to make Hiroshima site of next year’s Group of Seven (G7) summit due to heightened international concerns over possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons in a war in Ukraine, stated a Japan Times report. Kishida on Monday h anunced that his nation would host next year’s G7 meeting in Hiroshima, which is one of two Japanese cities that US atomic bombings devastated in closing days of World War II. 

Japanese Prime Minister unveiled plan for G7 leers’ summit’s site during a meeting in Tokyo with US President Joe Biden. As per reports, US leer also expressed support for same. Both Kishida and Biden agreed to cooperate to realise a successful G7 summit in Hiroshima. During a joint press conference with Biden, Kishida said that he planned to sue G7’s resolve to “consistently reject any threats using nuclear weapons and attempts to overthrow international order” while referring to Russia-Ukraine war. 

Russia anunced “special” military operation in Ukraine in late February but shortly after conflict began, Moscow did t rule out possibility of using nuclear weapons in neighbouring country. Kishida, whose constituency is in Hiroshima, has been touting a world without nuclear weapons. He said earlier this week, “Hiroshima would be most suitable place to demonstrate our commitment to peace”.

“I want to show world our pledge of never having humanity experience horrors of nuclear weapons and affirm G7 cooperation to protect peace, international order and our values in front of a monument of peace,” he said. G7 nations include Britain, Cana, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and United States plus European Union.

Japan agrees to Russian oil embargo 'in principle'

Japan will embargo Russian crude oil imports “in principle” as part of decision taken by Group of Seven (G7) nations to deter Russian military aggression in Ukraine, said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida following an online meeting of G7 leers on May 8. He also underscored that “unity of G7 is essential”, apparently referring to ongoing Russia-Ukraine war which has continued w for 75 days. 

While dressing reporters, Kishida said on Monday, " unity of G7 is essential at this time and based on G7 leers’ statement, we decided to take measures to embargo Russian oil in principle."

Im: AP